2000 Windstar SE- IMRC P1518

[booyakhoa]

my repair shop just replaced the valve cover and valve cover gasket on my 2000 windstar SE... about 40 miles later, the check engine light came on... took it to Autozone, got code P1518- Intake Manifold Runner Control (IMRC) Stuck Open...

do you think they messed something up when the replaced the valve cover, or is it just plain bad luck that the check engine light came on and I have to go back to take care of another problem?

[12Ounce]

The good news is: As of model year '99, the IMRC actuator became "all electric" ... and a single actuator is used for both "banks".... earlier years used two peumatic actuators. The newer electric actuators appear to much more rugged than the earlier ones.

The bad news: With one actuator, additional linkages had to be added. They are easy to hang-up if someone is careless around them. But they also fail on their own because their little bushings (Ford calls them "spacers") can fall out when well-cooked.

Take a look and see if the linkages and bushings are all in-place.

[booyakhoa]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

The good news is: As of model year '99, the IMRC actuator became "all electric" ... and a single actuator is used for both "banks".... earlier years used two peumatic actuators. The newer electric actuators appear to much more rugged than the earlier ones.

The bad news: With one actuator, additional linkages had to be added. They are easy to hang-up if someone is careless around them. But they also fail on their own because their little bushings (Ford calls them "spacers") can fall out when well-cooked.

Take a look and see if the linkages and bushings are all in-place.

well I hope the light is on because someone was careless while working on the valve cover and gasket so I don't have to pay to fix it because I'm clueless about how to "Take a look and see if the linkages and bushings are all in-place"

[12Ounce]

If you do want to take a look yourself, its pretty easy to do. You may need a hand mirrow to avoid removing the cowling to see the back linkage.

The actuator is on the "front" top of the engine ...above (kinda) the serpertine belt. The actuator is a black plastic box ... about the size of a can of Spam... of course it has an electrical connector. You can get a pretty fair look at the two linkages and their ends. There should be a total of 4 bushings in place.

If any have fallen out, the linkage is very likely to jam.